Sérgio Mendes, legendary Brazilian bossa nova composer, dies aged 83

Sérgio Mendes, the legendary Brazilian bossa nova and jazz musician, has passed away at the age of 83.

A statement shared on his official social media pages announced the news on 5th September, adding that Mendes “passed away peacefully”. Although no official cause of death has been disclosed, the statement mentions that his health had been impacted by the effects of long Covid.

“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children. His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children,” the statement reads. “For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long-term Covid.”

“The family is processing this loss and more details regarding funeral and memorial services will be provided at a later date,” the statement concludes.

Born in Niterói in 1941, the Brazilian singer, composer, bandleader, and keyboardist began his musical career as a teenager in the late 1950s, performing in Rio nightclubs just as bossa nova was gaining international attention. Mentored by bossa nova pioneer Antônio Carlos Jobim, Mendes released his debut album, ‘Dance Moderno’, in 1961 with the band Sexteto Bossa Rio.

In 1964, Mendes moved to Los Angeles, signed with Capitol Records, and formed the band Brasil ’65. Despite continued success in South America, the group’s first two albums struggled in North America. Following the advice of producer Richard Adler, Mendes added two American singers and began incorporating English-language songs into the repertoire. The band was later renamed Brasil ’66. 

However, it was the landmark Portuguese-language single ‘Mas Que Nada’, written by samba legend Jorge Ben, that gave Mendes and his band, then known as Brasil ’66, and later Brasil ’77, their breakthrough in the U.S. Mendes later re-recorded the track with the Black Eyed Peas in 2006.

Mendes continued to release music during the ’70s and ’80s, culminating in his 1983 hit ‘Never Gonna Let You Go,’ a cover of the Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil song.

He remains one of Brazil’s most successful artists of all time, having recorded over 30 albums throughout his seven-decade career and won three Grammy Awards. Additionally, he was nominated for an Oscar in 2012 for co-writing the song ‘Real in Rio’ from the animated film Rio.

A slew of Brazilian musicians have paid tribute to Mendes upon hearing the news. “Rest in peace, beloved genius,” the legendary singer Milton Nascimento wrote on Instagram. “There were so many years of friendship, partnership and music – and he will be with me for ever, in my heart,” Nascimento added.

João Bosco noted that Brazil had not just lost a great musician, but also a great “thinker of Brazillian music.”

Mendes last performed in November last year, selling out venues in Paris, London and Barcelona.

Listen to ‘Mas Que Nada’  below.